A Sick Life: TLC 'n Me: Stories from On and Off the Stage

Beschreibung

In addition to the balancing act of juggling an all-consuming music career and her family, TLC's Tionne has struggled with sickle-cell disease since she was a young girl―a debilitating and incurable disease that can render her unable to perform, walk, or even breathe.

A Sick Life chronicles Tionne's journey from a childhood spent in and out of the hospital, told she wouldn't live to see 30 or have children, to becoming the superstar musician who is still living out her life's dream of performing. For the first time, Tionne will tell her full life story―the diagnosis, the tumultuous rise to fame, the life in the spotlight, and the hard-fought advocacy work. Through Tionne's tough, funny, tell-it-like-it-is voice, you’ll see how the extraordinary singer and advocate found the inner strength, grit, and determination to live her dream―despite her often unpredictable and demanding health issues. She dives deep into never-before-told TLC stories, including accounts of her friendship with Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes and the tragedy of her death. Tionne's unvarnished discussion of her disease, unending strength, and ability to power through the odds is a story like no other.

Rezensionen

altima313

This was a sick memoir (TOP DEFINITION: that's sick; something that is exceptionally cool). I listened to the audiobook that I received from the publisher via LibraryThing Early Reviewers, and I’m so thankful I did so. Tionne Watkins reads the details of her career, family, friends, acquaintances. Health and death in a very honest and considerate of others way. The audio also included a couple of songs that you wouldn’t have heard unless you asked “Alexa” to play TLC, one of the most famous girl groups in music history, softly in the background while reading comfortably on the couch. I may have felt differently about this memoir if I had not heard the voice of T-Boz or If I had read the printed edition. Her voice made the accounts of events much more relatable and realistic, where she interjected laughter, character voice changes, etc. Her Lisa Lopez “Left Eye” voice is on point.I earned a new respect for Ms. Watkins for enduring all that she has and will still overcome, embrace and value in her life. I praise that she is still amongst the living while writing this memoir. I will now absorb her public life so far by watching her and TLC videos on YouTube.

Des Moines to Atlanta.....local music scene to superstar.....diagnosed with sickle cell disease to advocate for this painful debilitating disease. ....and more...this book brings us stories of strength, courage, true grit and determination. I feel such admiration and respect for this woman and her struggles with her health, with her career and being a mother to her child while going through it all. I loved this, and liked her honesty, her writing style and her humor. This is one you gotta read. Some intetesting quotes from the book:

P.106 "People can be pretty self - involved. Some think only about their own stories, not about the stories around them. I'd always worried about what people would think if they knew I was sick."P. 215 "You can decide what it is for yourself that keeps you going. There's always something. There's always a motive to get up and try. You'll always have a reason to stay here."P.217 "So now, I'd survived a brain tumor, the death of a close friend, the death of a cousin, the death of my grandmothet, the death of an aunt, a bad divorce, and life with sickle cell disease. What now? Well, just like with anything, I had to keep living. And if you're born to entertain like me, you have to keep performing."P. 233We've always been a band who makes universal music that can reach any listener. We don't limit that, and I've never agreed when people have tried to lump us in as rap or R&B. Our music crosses generations and genres, and it's for everyone."

johansenh-1

I was a TLC fan back in the day, and still am, although my understanding of the group and the tragedy of Left-Eye of have given me a different perspective on them. IF you're a fan, you'll get into this book. There's a lot more to the surface story that we don't know and T-Boz's book tells a whole new story that dives deeper into the whole background that we as fans heard about back in the day. Recommended.

ecataldi-1

The first parental advisory CD I was ever allowed to purchase was TLC's "Fanmail" and that album was FIRE. "No Scrubs" was my jam and even though I came late to loving TLC, I was definitely a fan. I was even excited to see them open for New Kids on the Block a few years ago. That being said, I never knew much about the pop group, I knew that one of them died and one of them sometimes got sick but that was about it. "A Sick Life" goes into T-Boz's story about her childhood, her battle with Sickle Cell, the formation of TLC, and her children. It was all pretty inspiring and fascinating and it helped that the audiobook was narrated by T-Boz herself. I definitely gained a new appreciation for TLC's music, this was a nice blast to the past and a must read (or listen) for all 90's kids.

shadow123_1

This is a great read if you're a TLC fan. It starts off a little slow, and Tionne starts out sounding like an almost reluctant narrator, but as she starts to dive deeper into her story you can hear more and more of her personality shine through which is really interesting. Frankly, if you don't like TLC, there's not much in here for you. But if you have fond memories of the 90s, this will take you back.

Euphoros

LOVED learning more about the woman behind T-Boz, her experience with TLC and her ongoing battle with sickle cell. Funny and disarmingly honest, it was an audio book pleasure. She's one hell of a fighter. Tionne's voice is also extremely soothing, almost like a lullaby.

wopundo

One of the most interesting and realest books I have ever read

Aprelle Skinner-Young

This Woman is a true fighter! So inspirational! Really enjoyed!

alisonsbooks

Great read! Interesting journey about what it means to have sickle cell anemia.Really compelling. Highly positive person. The kind of person you would like to have as a friend--lots of wisdom based on experience--which she fully shares in the book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who reads biographies of any genre..or fans.

karconner

I received this audiobook free in return for an honest review. A two seems low but a three signifies I liked it. For me, it was okay. Parts of it were interesting. I admire how much T Boz has dealt with concerning her disease. But, there were parts that I really didn't care for like the beating of a girl who was then hospitalized for two months. There was no remorse. There were also incidents of shoplifting, and again there was no remorse. I didn't care for that. Unfortunately, I ended up having a lot less respect for Lisa Lopes after listening to this. She didn't seem to have too many redeeming qualities. If you are a TLC fan, you'll probably enjoy it. For me, it was okay.